In the News

District Judge Keeps N.D. Medication Abortion Law From Taking Effect

District Judge Keeps N.D. Medication Abortion Law From Taking Effect

February 21, 2012 — North Dakota District Judge Wickham Corwin on Thursday said an injunction should remain in place against a state law that bans the use of a medication abortion drug, the AP/Jamestown Sunreports (AP/Jamestown Sun, 2/16). Wickham said the law would create an "insurmountable barrier" to abortion for some women.

The law was set to take effect last August, but the Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Fargo-based Red River Women's Clinic, arguing that the law unconstitutionally restricts abortion access for women (Forum of Fargo-Morehead, 2/16). Wickham said the injunction should continue while the lawsuit is being resolved (AP/Jamestown Sun, 2/16).

The law mandates that any drug used to induce abortion must meet FDA protocols and that its label must state it is intended for use in abortion care. The law would prohibit the use of misoprostol -- one of the two drugs used in medication abortion -- because the drug is labeled for the treatment of stomach ulcers (Women's Health Policy Report, 1/30).

Supporters of the law say it is meant ensure that FDA safety regulations are followed. They contend that the measure does not infringe on a woman's right to an abortion because surgical abortion would still be available (Forum of Fargo-Morehead, 2/16).

Video Round Up

N.C. Gov. To Break Campaign Promise on Abortion Bills

AP/ABC News 11's Ed Crump discusses how North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) will break his campaign pledge to not sign any abortion restrictions if he signs a 72-hour mandatory delay bill into law. Watch the video

Datapoints

See where states rank on reproductive rights across the U.S. Plus, find out how states are imposing more restrictions on and limiting women's access to abortion. Read more

At A Glance

"Not since before Roe v. Wade has a law or court decision had the potential to devastate access to reproductive health care on such a sweeping scale."

— Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, on a ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld major portions of a Texas antiabortion-rights law. Read more